The FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championship gets underway tomorrow ©Getty Images

Back-to-back champions Russia are looking to equal the United States' record of four International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Women's Junior Water Polo Championship titles as the 2021 edition gets underway in Israel tomorrow.

Israel, Argentina and Peru will also be aiming to make a splash as they make tournament debuts in Netanya.

Greece and Italy are expected to rule Group A, while Slovakia and Germany complete the rest of the quartet.

Group B looks similar as two teams - The Netherlands and Spain - will likely battle it out for pole position.

South Africa and France should not be written off, however, and both appear capable of producing an upset.

Group C is the most well-rounded of the four as Serbia join all three newcomers.

The United States misses out to due to COVID-19 issues and collegiate commitments ©Getty Images
The United States misses out to due to COVID-19 issues and collegiate commitments ©Getty Images

Russia headline Group D, which also features Hungary, Brazil and Uzbekistan.

Russia has dominated the under-20 competition, winning the last two editions in Portugal and Greece.

In the last 11 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championship, the country has finished outside the semi-finals just once.

Its first crown came in 2009 at home in Khanty-Mansiysk, beating the Dutch in the final.

As a result of COVID-19 limitations, a number of leading nations will not be in attendance.

Two-time champions Australia, 2003 winners Canada, 2007 runners-up China, New Zealand and the US will all be absent.

The tournament is scheduled to run from October 10 to 16.